Page Contents for Hudson, Indiana

Statistics & Facts

Location

History & History-related items

Government

Historical Events

Miscellany

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Statistics & Facts

The Indiana state capital is Indianapolis.
The population of Hudson is approximately 596 (2000), 518 (2010).
The approximate number of families is 166 (1990), 185 (2010).
The amount of land area in Hudson is 1.435 sq. kilometers.
The amount of surface water is 0 sq kilometers.
The distance from Hudson to Washington DC is 478 miles.
The distance to the Indiana state capital is 134 miles. (as the crow flies)
Hudson is positioned 41.53 degrees north of the equator and 85.08 degrees west of the prime meridian.

Location

north of State Road 4 approximately one mile west of Interstate 69 in southern Steuben County in northeastern Indiana
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History & History Related Items

Hudson's original platting took place on August 14, 1869. The town was named North Benton by Elizabeth Clark, an early resident.

The first store and post office opened in North Benton in 1868. To avoid mail confusion with Benton, a town to the west, North Benton was renamed Hudson, January 15, 1875. Hudson was incorporated in 1892. In early 1893, the Town area was defined.

Through the years, Hudson has had a wide variety of businesses: wagon maker; blacksmith; harness maker; dry goods; grocery stores; novelty store; and millinery shops. There have also been a shoe repair shop, cabinet shop, hardware, two livery stables, pool rooms, and taverns. In 1854, the Methodists organized and then built a frame church in 1874. In 1859 the U. B. Church organized 1/2 mile north of Hudson. This building was later moved and is now the U. B. Fellowship Hall. In 1893, C. H. Spake edited The Hudson Banner. Several different homes were used for schools. A brick building was built on the current park site and used until a two-story brick building was built in 1895, with three years of high school. In 1914, the High School increased to a four year term.

The Town Hall was built in l915 and still serves the community as Town Hall and Senior Center. In 1917, the Farmers State Bank was located here. On April 13, 1933, five bandits made a daring hold up of the bank taking $ 1,337. The holdup was climaxed by an exchange of shots by the Town Marshal, Lee Clark, and the bandits. No one was injured and the bandits escaped.

Here is a history page for Hudson.
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Hudson City Government

The Town of Hudson
P.O. Box 97
115 Parsonage Street
Hudson, Indiana 46747
Phone: 260-587-9500
Fax: 260-587-9500
Email

Hudson is governed by a three member Town Board, all elected at large. The Town Hall and Senior Center are located at 115 Parsonage Street and include the offices of the Clerk-Treasurer, Utility Clerk, Marshal, and Town Manager.

Hudson Historical Events

1911
Pfingstag Family
In 1911, Richard J. Pfingstag, his wife Emma Maria (Mosshammer) and their children moved to Hudson from Kentucky. This family was descendent from Elizabeth amilies.
Three of the children; Herbert John Pfingstag, Carl Jesse Pfingstag, and Paul William Pfingstag went on to graduate from the United States Naval Academy and, at the time of World War II, became Captains. At the time, they were known as the first 3 brothers ever to be Captains at the same time in the US Navy.

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1840
Around 1840, Elizabeth Clark (nee Nunamacher in 1804) and her eight children moved to what is now called Hudson, Indiana. In 1869, with a few others, she helped plat the town which was originally called Benton (or North Benton).
Many of her children settled around Indiana and southern Michigan, with several staying in Hudson. After the children married, some returned and there are still descendants living in Hudson today. (3/2000) Hudson

Miscellany

The population of Hudson was:
1990 - 438
2000 - 596

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What makes a town? The philosophy is reflected in the following verse written by Mrs. Ada Strock, an early Hudson resident and historian.
Just folks they are, that walk our walks from day to day,
Yet different from the masses we would say,
Because we live as heart to heart,
And not, as in cities, each one apart.
Our sorrows and our joys are shared;
Our belief is in the One who cared;
Small though our town may be,
Much beauty in God's world we see!